The Best Journey Always Leads Us Home

[May_dream1 14]

That's great!! My curtains wasn't that fantastic.

[Ely1 0]

That's great!! My curtains wasn't that fantastic.

I saw pics (keke), they look really pretty - soft and feminine and goes nicely with the violet walls! What's wrong with the curtains?

-Ely

[May_dream1 14]

The one in living room not very nice leh.... when u come u will know. Provided u have time to come since u moving this coming weekend!

[Ely1 0]

The one in living room not very nice leh.... when u come u will know. Provided u have time to come since u moving this coming weekend!

Ha! I'll make time Won't miss it for the world! I'll probably take several weeks to settle in, so somewhere in June, you come over ok?

You owe me a drink at your cozy nook and I'm waiting to collect

-Ely

[CutieCat 0]

Currently doubting my own choices/tastes... ><

Maybe because my ID didn't show much enthusiasm for the purchases. And also, perhaps, I basically designed the whole place myself. The ID simply followed my instructions and gave very good sound technical advice, and I'm so grateful for someone who manages and oversees the entire project because I'm terrible with contractors due to my limited Mandarin, and lack the necessary know-how. In my case, we didn't pick an ID who would dictate the design and furnishings - I wanted a barebone apartment to do up by myself. When it comes to the whole design scheme, it is practically 99% mine so it is nerve-wrecking. Serious self-doubt mode now.

Also wondering how many of you have gone over your initial budget? I'm just wondering if everyone is as impulsive as us, or are we normal first-time homeowners who get too naturally carried away?

- Ely

You are not the only one, we went over budget for my fridge,washer, bedroom set(customed made)and etc.In fact i hv in plan what i wana do for the house, the ID just follow and make suggestions. Tmr i gg to see 3D pics,hope the ID dun change of idea and concept too much! hehe virgos like to follow plans...

[May_dream1 14]

Ha! I'll make time Won't miss it for the world! I'll probably take several weeks to settle in, so somewhere in June, you come over ok?

You owe me a drink at your cozy nook and I'm waiting to collect

-Ely

I am trying to find a book shelf for that area so can sit, enjoy a cuppa, with a good book! Enjoying life? Haha....

I won't miss going to your place too. Anytime u invite, I sure come.

[Ely1 0]

You are not the only one, we went over budget for my fridge,washer, bedroom set(customed made)and etc.In fact i hv in plan what i wana do for the house, the ID just follow and make suggestions. Tmr i gg to see 3D pics,hope the ID dun change of idea and concept too much! hehe virgos like to follow plans...

I think it's what's leading to my demise! The 3Ds rendered were completely redundant, save for laminate choices, as they were all so wrongly scaled and inaccurate. Definitely easier to follow 3Ds to ensure you get what you planned, especially for space-planning. I'm simply following whatever's in my head. Even my floorplan is largely inaccurate!

Made some misjudgements regarding foyer cabinet's height, size of sofa and living room configuration, and did not expect the TV console in the bedroom to be so thick. It simply swivels so I can work out next to a mirrored-cabinet - right form ftw! Also good to see yourself throwing punches and looking fit. (Haven't worked out in a looooooong time, always too tired or sick nowadays to convince myself to do one. Might have to force myself to kick start it again if I want to squeeze into my first fitting this month~ Bleh.)

Show us your 3Ds when you get them k?

- Ely

[patsy_sg 1]

wow. haven't been reading here for a while and just saw your blog, really nice purchases and gorgeous view from your apartment!

will deffo take note of this blog cause i'm going to do reno again (yep, 3rd move in 3 years!)

[adidaem 6]

Currently doubting my own choices/tastes... ><

Maybe because my ID didn't show much enthusiasm for the purchases. And also, perhaps, I basically designed the whole place myself. The ID simply followed my instructions and gave very good sound technical advice, and I'm so grateful for someone who manages and oversees the entire project because I'm terrible with contractors due to my limited Mandarin, and lack the necessary know-how. In my case, we didn't pick an ID who would dictate the design and furnishings - I wanted a barebone apartment to do up by myself. When it comes to the whole design scheme, it is practically 99% mine so it is nerve-wrecking. Serious self-doubt mode now.

Also wondering how many of you have gone over your initial budget? I'm just wondering if everyone is as impulsive as us, or are we normal first-time homeowners who get too naturally carried away?

- Ely

Hi Ely, your purchases and reno looks great so far. Don't worry, I'm sure the end result will be great! As for budget, looks like mine will be over 100K at the end of everything like yours, so m also totally over-budget... think is normal lar... cos when we go out and buy things, you always want the best looking/most-reliable/highest capacity stuff right? If I start my reno T-blog next time, you can see how my SO & I blow my budget (spectacularly)...

Can't wait to see more pics. Jia you!

[Ely1 0]

wow. haven't been reading here for a while and just saw your blog, really nice purchases and gorgeous view from your apartment!

will deffo take note of this blog cause i'm going to do reno again (yep, 3rd move in 3 years!)

Hi Patsy, thanks for dropping by Things were bought rather impulsively, and it's going to be a miracle if they all work well together. Well, we'll see Regardless, I think I'll still love it as it's a place we can truly call our own. Will definitely need to make some alterations for the final layout but not planning to change of the purchases I now regret (sorta...).

Wow, another move in a year? Where would you be now? How do you deal with a reno process every year? This one alone is killing me - or do you just get better and better at it? Trying a different look this time?

Keep us dated, I'm sure we'd all appreciate reading an experienced t-blog. No learning from mistakes like most of us are.

- Ely

[Ely1 0]

Hi Ely, your purchases and reno looks great so far. Don't worry, I'm sure the end result will be great! As for budget, looks like mine will be over 100K at the end of everything like yours, so m also totally over-budget... think is normal lar... cos when we go out and buy things, you always want the best looking/most-reliable/highest capacity stuff right? If I start my reno T-blog next time, you can see how my SO & I blow my budget (spectacularly)...

Can't wait to see more pics. Jia you!

Hi Adidam,

Thanks! Great to hear from you - do start your blog as I'm certain many of us still lurking despite having finished our renovations are still curious about others' homes. No one can resist before/after pics!

Wow, more than a 100k? What luxuries have you splurged on! Can't wait to see YOUR purchases Perhaps, you'd even de-throne me!

-Ely

[adidaem 6]

Hi Adidam,

Thanks! Great to hear from you - do start your blog as I'm certain many of us still lurking despite having finished our renovations are still curious about others' homes. No one can resist before/after pics!

Wow, more than a 100k? What luxuries have you splurged on! Can't wait to see YOUR purchases Perhaps, you'd even de-throne me!

-Ely

Hi Ely, cannot de-throne you lar. You are the queen.

Can't start my T-blog cos I don't even have a final design yet! We are still discussing with our IDs on the design and changing our minds. Maybe when we get some 3D pics? I think my IDs won't want us to share the architectural designs they've prepped cos they are quite protective of their design. Plus only getting our keys in mid-Jun so like no pics to do show n tell. For now am doing lots of lurking n research on what to buy.

Mine is 100K+ mostly cos it's an EM that we are doing a fairly total overhaul of. E.g. All 3 toilets, L1 flooring, electricals (plus 6 aircons (2 compressors)), kitchen, stairs, major hacking of walls and then adding glass/sliding panels (kitchen, bedroom and probably toilet). So just the reno alone is a amount. Doesn't leave a lot left for shopping.

Think my major luxury so far is the 2 Grohe rainshowers (link to wordpress blog). I am desperately trying to rein in the rest of the costs but finding it really really hard - so don't dare to do any online shopping cos I get quite trigger happy. Maybe after we settle the major purchases then I'll start with the decor n furnishings.

Been enjoying reading about your shopping so don't stop updating k?

[May_dream1 14]

Both of you can share the throne.

[patsy_sg 1]

Hi Patsy, thanks for dropping by Things were bought rather impulsively, and it's going to be a miracle if they all work well together. Well, we'll see Regardless, I think I'll still love it as it's a place we can truly call our own. Will definitely need to make some alterations for the final layout but not planning to change of the purchases I now regret (sorta...).

Wow, another move in a year? Where would you be now? How do you deal with a reno process every year? This one alone is killing me - or do you just get better and better at it? Trying a different look this time?

Keep us dated, I'm sure we'd all appreciate reading an experienced t-blog. No learning from mistakes like most of us are.

- Ely

don't regret any purchase! from what i've seen they're all very nice!!! am sure you'll find a place for it somewhere!!

yeah, hoping to confirm a home soon. the reno bit is fun, it's the unpacking and putting away stuff I don't like!! And I'm not sure if I'll be of much help this time, first time I may be doing up a landed home... so it'll be trial and error too!!

[JCase 0]

Hi Ely, cannot de-throne you lar. You are the queen.

Can't start my T-blog cos I don't even have a final design yet! We are still discussing with our IDs on the design and changing our minds. Maybe when we get some 3D pics? I think my IDs won't want us to share the architectural designs they've prepped cos they are quite protective of their design. Plus only getting our keys in mid-Jun so like no pics to do show n tell. For now am doing lots of lurking n research on what to buy.

Mine is 100K+ mostly cos it's an EM that we are doing a fairly total overhaul of. E.g. All 3 toilets, L1 flooring, electricals (plus 6 aircons (2 compressors)), kitchen, stairs, major hacking of walls and then adding glass/sliding panels (kitchen, bedroom and probably toilet). So just the reno alone is a amount. Doesn't leave a lot left for shopping.

Think my major luxury so far is the 2 Grohe rainshowers (link to wordpress blog). I am desperately trying to rein in the rest of the costs but finding it really really hard - so don't dare to do any online shopping cos I get quite trigger happy. Maybe after we settle the major purchases then I'll start with the decor n furnishings.

Been enjoying reading about your shopping so don't stop updating k?

Amount for complete overhaul is about right.

My reno alone costs 80K including electrical. Factor another 20-25K for windows, grills, AC, lights, curtains, sanitary ware and some additional furniture.

For my 4 bedroom, I did not even replace the flooring. Just grind and revarnish the parquet.

I'm not even hacking anything and it's a single level unit.

Trying not to cut corners, no point as eventually will need to re-do. Might as well get it all right first time for me.

'

Good luck with the reno.